A NEW NATIONAL AGREEMENT ON CLOSING THE GAP

The new National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement) has now been released.

The National Agreement has been developed in genuine partnership between Australian Governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations.

The National Agreement recognises that the only way to close the gap is when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people determine, drive and own the desired outcomes, alongside all governments.

The objective of the National Agreement is to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the entrenched inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and achieve life outcomes equal to all Australians.

Central to the new National Agreement are four priority reforms that commit governments to change the way they work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It also focuses on 16 targets to improve outcomes in education, employment, health and wellbeing, justice, safety, housing, land and waters, and languages.

For the first time, the Commonwealth, states and territories, local government and the Coalition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Organisations are jointly accountable for ensuring the outcomes of closing the gap are achieved through implementation, and will report annually on their success in progressing actions against their plans.

The Productivity Commission will undertake a three-yearly independent report on progress against the National Agreement. This will be followed by an Indigenous-led review of progress every three years.